Holiday display at Neo

Allentown can be a shopper’s paradise, with its mix of oddity and panache among the mostly small stores that line the region’s main streets — an area of a few square blocks that includes Elmwood, Allen and Delaware. Allentown proper lies between North and Virginia Sts., from Main to Symphony Circle, where Allen curves into Wadsworth to become Richmond Ave. There are plenty of shops in this district and I am convinced that one could, with proper planning, fulfill all Christmas shopping needs on a stroll through this neighborhood. So let’s see what we find.

Starting on the Southeast side of the district, Main St. offers HYATT’S ART SUPPLY, located between Virginia & Allen (910 Main). This is one of the most extensive art supply stores in the city, popular even with those for whom it is not conveniently located. For budding artists, high quality materials from this store are something special, far beyond the usual colored pencils and crayons. For professional or serious artists, a gift certificate will allow the more finicky to choose their own tried and true equipment.

Rounding the corner onto Allen St., the next block brings Neo (55 Allen), a large store by Allentown standards. This shop features modern furnishings and lighting and other cutting-edge products for the home, and for him or her. Scented rocks, candles, accessories and personal grooming supplies for men and women, leather bound journals and some very nice pens, to name just a few items. A beautiful selection of ornaments is on display for gifts or your personal holiday decorating needs.

Window dressing at the Allen Street Dress Shop

On to the Allen St. Dress Shop (89 Allen). This retail womens’ clothing store sells beautiful and creative styles that can be found at few other shops. Stocked with sophisticated, urban lines like Anthropologie, Cut Loose, Flax, Free People, Kiko and Urban Outfitters, the Dress Shop’s offerings aren’t limited to clothing. Cotton tights and hosiery, scarves, jewelry, bags, hats and occasionally footwear are all on display. There is also a vintage rack with an assemblage of very well kept coats and dresses. If in doubt as to size or taste, a Gift Certificate is always a sure bet.

A few doors down is the new Hero Design Studio & Boutique (93 Allen), which opened at the beginning of November. The store features the entire Hero silkscreen poster collection, an assortment of rock posters (local and international), as well as hip designer toys from Kidrobot, Kubrick, Medicom, Strange Co. and others. Posters are printed on site, in the back of the storefront.

Crossing Delaware and approaching Elmwood and Allen leads to the veritable hub of Allentown. The brand new Steel Crazy opened it’s doors just last week at 191 Allen. A retail outlet for EB Iron Art, Steel Crazy produces custom decorative iron work made by water jet cutter, which can customize stone, glass and plastic as well as metal. Pre-made industrial art pieces are also available. Their eye-catching logo, the big “Steel Crazy” sign on the front of the building, gives an idea of what they do.

Across the street on Elmwood is the Christmas shopper’s good friend, El Buen Amigo (114 Elmwood), in business now since 1989. El Buen Amigo is the retail outlet of the non-profit Latin American Cultural Association, and carries a variety of gift items from countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. There are hand crafted wool sweaters, blankets, ponchos and winterwear, jewelry, tapestries, toys, musical instruments, leather goods and many other Latin-made objets d’arte.

Further up towards North St. is African Styles (166 Elmwood), which sells African-influenced clothing and jewelry. During warmer months the shop has a higher profile with its sidewalk displays and colorful clothing hung outdoors in front of the store. During the winter months, pop in for some nicely scented warmth, where a gift can be found for just about anybody.

Cross the street again and you’ll find Cowpok, Skunk Tail and Krudmart. This is the block to shop for the hipsters on your list, including any rebellious teenagers you don’t mind encouraging in their fashion quests. Anyone over 18 can have a gift certificate to Cowpok (177 Elmwood), a tattoo and piercing studio. Organic jewelry made of wood, glass and bone makes a great gift for those who’ve already got the “piercing bug.” Skunk Tail Glass (171 Elmwood) is where to find hand blown glass pipes, stemware and jewelry items (again, for those over 18 years old). The owners do the glass blowing themselves, so custom pieces and glass blowing classes are also offered. Krudmart (125 Allen) is an on-line outfit that opened its first retail store in October. The store carries contemporary apparel and accessories —T-shirts, hats and jackets— from featured brands like 101 Apparel, Brown Sound, Fuct, Hellominor and so much more its impossible to detail here.

So far we’ve covered items for men, women and (older) children. For the youngsters, how about tickets to any TOY THEATER production? Located at 203 Allen St., Theater of Youth’s upcoming productions include A Little House Christmas, Bridge to Tarabithia and Charlotte’s Web.

Finally, take a break from shopping and head back to Elmwood and Allen. Stop at Sweet Tooth’s new location (94 Elmwood) for a sugar jolt, or have a bite to eat and a glass of wine at the cozy La Tee Da (206 Allen) and browse for used books next door (in the same buliding) at Rust Belt Books (204 Allen). If you do all the shopping on this list, you’ll certainly deserve it.